Die Kleinen hier – die Großen da: eine römische Zweikammer-Spardose aus Călugăreni / Mikháza am dakischen Ostlimes (jud. Mureş / RO)

Abstract

During rescue excavations outside the auxiliary fort at Călugăreni / Mikháza on the Eastern Limes of the province of Dacia a more or less complete money box was found. Although the spherical shape matches other money boxes, this one is unusual: inside it is divided into two chambers and each has a slot of a different size. Apparently, the smaller slot of the central chamber was intended for silver coins with a diameter of about 20 mm – antoninianii and denarii – and the larger slot of the outer chamber for the larger bronze coins with a diameter of about 25-35 mm – asses, sestertii and dupondii. Whether the money box was ever in use is unclear. Either it was broken open on one side and emptied or it was an unused waster. Since the pottery finds discovered in the proximity were possibly ceramic wasters, the piece could also have been a waster.